North Liberty Blues & BBQ announces date, headliner

NORTH LIBERTY–North Liberty Blues & BBQ announced Veridian Credit Union will partner to present North Liberty’s annual premiere family event in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Along with the new partnership, organizers are excited to unveil the festival’s new logo.
“North Liberty Blues & BBQ has become an exciting summer tradition that brings our community together,” said Jennifer Roberts, a spokesperson for Veridian. “We’re grateful to the city, countless businesses and hundreds of volunteers that make this event possible, and we’re proud to be a partner in its success.”
The annual daylong event features live blues-inspired music, free children’s inflatables and activities, Iowa craft brews, and mouthwatering barbecue. 2016 saw a record-breaking crowd of over 15,000, attracting attendees from across the state and Midwest. The eleventh annual event will take place on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Centennial Park located at 1565 St. Andrews Dr., between Jones Boulevard and Kansas Avenue. Activities will kick-off earlier than they have in previous years, with children’s activities beginning at 10 a.m. and the food vendor alley and beverage garden opening at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.
“Veridian Credit Union has been a longtime supporter of North Liberty Blues & BBQ ,” said Ryan Heiar, North Liberty’s city administrator. “We’re thrilled to have their increased support and commitment to growing the festival for years to come.”
Anderson East will headline the event, organizers announced. The performance comes between sold-out tour stops with Chris Stapleton throughout the United States.
East will take the University of Iowa Community Credit Union main stage at 9 p.m., capping an all-day lineup of exciting blues and blues-inspired music in North Liberty’s Centennial Park. Entry to the festival, including live music, remains free.
East learned to sing and play guitar at 11 years old. He is the grandson of a southern Baptist preacher, while his mother played piano in the church. After spending much of his time touring and engineering records, he was discovered by Dave Cobb at Nashville’s Bluebird Café.
His debut album on Low Country Sound/Elektra, entitled “Delilah”, was released on July 10, 2015. Before the release, East started touring nationally in January 2015 as direct support for Sturgill Simpson. In addition to his own sold-out headline shows, he has toured with Brandi Carlile, The Lone Bellow, Jason Isbell, and John Butler Trio. “Satisfy Me” was the first single released off the record. It instantly went top 10 viral on Spotify and received regular radio airplay. NPR music called “Delilah” an “eclectic, fully formed debut album.” Daytrotter wrote, “It’s one of those 10-song records that’s damned near perfect, traveling through the old, smoky bars of older days and down the twisted back roads of love.” On July 15, 2015, East made his television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and also appeared on CBS This Morning Saturday in support of his album.
North Liberty Blues & BBQ wouldn’t be possible without its wonderful community sponsors including Veridian Credit Union and several others, listed at northlibertyblues.org.